Cheap carries a hefty price tag
ALEXANDRA – The Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industry is educating the community on the dangers of fake goods.
The Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Gacci) in partnership with the South African Informal Traders Alliance (Saita) have embarked on a programme to educate the community about the dangers of trading in and the consumption of fake goods.
Speaking at the Stop Selling Illicit Products campaign meeting at the Sankopano Centre, the managing director of Gacci, Mxolisi Mngomezulu said the trade in illicit products, popularly-known as ‘Fong Kong’ goods, was a social problem that needed to be tackled by all and sundry.
“These products are not just harmful to the economy of the country in terms of job losses and tax revenue but are also detrimental to the
health of those who consume them, as some of the ingredients used in the manufacturing process have not been tested and approved as suitable for consumption,” Mngomezulu said.
He said the meeting today was necessitated by an earlier chamber engagement with businesses in the township on various issues affecting
them and one of the biggest sticking points was the trade in illicit products, which he said was rife in Alex.
Mampapatla Madikoto, the Saita general secretary, echoed Mngomezulu’s sentiments, saying the ‘Fong Kong’ products are bad news for one’s health. “You may see yourself healthy today and the day after but the consumption of these products may begin to take effect many years down the line.”
Madikoto cited some of the talented musicians in the country who were dying as paupers because the sweat of their labour was being enjoyed by those dealing and trading in counterfeit CDs in the streets. “I wonder how we would all feel if these were our children working so hard but not benefiting anything?”
Mngomezulu warned the audience against generalisation and xenophobic tendencies to say the illicit goods were a problem that came with
the arrival of foreign nationals. “South Africans are also involved in this. We’re not targeting any specific group of people or foreign nationals but we’re fighting the scourge, regardless,” he added.
Some of the cheap illicit products filling the shelves of shops around the township include counterfeit cigarettes, soft drinks, bread, over-the-counter medicines, CDs, shoes, biscuits, sweets and mealie-meal, just to name a few.
Mngomezulu said the argument they often get from people is that ‘Fong Kong’ goods are cheap and affordable but said they come with a hefty price tag on the health of those who consume them.
Read: Fake DVD and CD sellers arrested outside Pan Africa Mall
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